Snap hook

ABSTRACT

A snap hook is provided. A body of the snap hook includes a hook shaped mid portion positioned between a nose portion and a connection portion. The body further has an opening to an inner edge that is positioned between the nose end and the connection portion. A gate is pivotally coupled proximate the connection portion of the body. The gate selectively pivots in relation to the body between a closed configuration and an open configuration. A gate holding portion is configured and arranged to be selectively received between at least one wall stop and at least one catch formed by at least one slot in the nose portion of the body to selectively lock the gate in the closed configuration. Moreover, a trigger is further operationally coupled to move the gate holding portion to clear the at least one catch of the nose portion when activated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/604,141, same title herewith, filed on Feb. 28, 2012, which isincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Snap hooks are commonly used to connect a safety line relative to a loador a person. Typically, a closed looped end of a snap hook is secured toa safety line and a hook end is secured to a support structure. Whenused in this manner, tension in the safety line sets the hook againstthe support structure and the gate portion of the hook end is notrequired to carry any of the load on the safety line. It is imperativethat the gate portion of the snap hook does not unintentionally openduring use or a serious injury or death could occur.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, there is a need in the art fora snap hook with an effective and efficient gate locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed byembodiments of the present invention and will be understood by readingand studying the following specification. The following summary is madeby way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided toaid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.

In one embodiment, a snap hook including a body, a gate, a lockingmember and a trigger is provided. The body has a width that is definedby an inner edge and an opposed outer edge. The body includes agenerally hooked shaped mid portion positioned between a nose portionand a connection portion. The nose portion terminates in a nose end. Thebody further has an opening to the inner edge that is positioned betweenthe nose end and the connection portion. The nose portion includes aslot. The gate has a first end pivotally coupled proximate theconnection portion of the body and a second end configured and arrangedto engage the nose portion of the body to selectively close the openingto the inner edge of the body wherein the gate has a closed positionwhen positioned across the opening and an open position when the openingis unobstructed by the gate. The locking member is operationallyconnected to the gate. The locking member has a first end that isconfigured and arranged to be selectively received in the slot in thenose portion of the body to selectively couple the gate to the noseportion of the body. The trigger has a first end that is pivotallycoupled to the body. The trigger has a second end that is configured andarranged to engage a second end of the locking member to disengage thefirst end of the locking member from the slot of the nose portion of thebody.

In another embodiment, another snap hook is provided. The snap hookincludes a body, a gate, a trigger and a locking member. The body has awidth defined by an inner edge and an opposed outer edge. The bodyincludes a generally hook shaped mid portion positioned between a noseportion and a connection portion. The nose portion terminates in a noseend. The body further has an opening to the inner edge that ispositioned between the nose end and the connection portion. The noseportion includes at least one slot formed in the inner edge of the body.The gate has a first end pivotally coupled proximate the connectionportion of the body and a second end configured and arranged to bereceived in the at least one slot of the nose portion of the body toselectively close the opening to the inner edge of the body, wherein thegate is in a closed configuration when positioned across the opening andin an open configuration when the opening is unobstructed by the gate.The trigger has a first end that is pivotally coupled to the body. Thelocking member operationally connects the gate and the trigger such thatmovement of the trigger causes the gate to be selectively locked andunlocked within the at least one slot of the body when the gate is inthe closed configuration.

In still another embodiment, yet another snap hook is provided. The snaphook includes a body, a gate, a locking member and a trigger. The bodyhas a width that is defined by an inner edge and an opposed outer edge.The body includes a generally hook shaped mid portion positioned that isbetween a nose portion and a connection portion. The nose portionterminates in a nose end. The body further has an opening to the inneredge that is positioned between the nose end and the connection portion.The nose portion includes at least one slot formed in the inner edge ofthe body. The gate has a first end that is pivotally coupled proximatethe connection portion of the body and a second end configured andarranged to be received in the at least one slot of the nose portion ofthe body to selectively close the opening to the inner edge of the body,wherein the gate is in a closed configuration when positioned across theopening and in an open configuration when the opening is unobstructed bythe gate. The locking member is operationally connected to the gate. Thelocking member has a first end that is configured and arranged to beselectively received in the slot in the nose portion of the body toselectively couple the gate to the nose portion of the body. The triggerhas a first end that is pivotally coupled to the body. The trigger has asecond end that is configured and arranged to engage a second end of thelocking member to disengage the first end of the locking member from theslot of the nose portion of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more easily understood and furtheradvantages and uses thereof will be more readily apparent, whenconsidered in view of the detailed description and the following figuresin which:

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a snap hook of one embodiment ofthe present invention having its gate positioned in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 1B is a side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG. 1A havingits gate positioned in an opened configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective exploded view of the snap hook of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a locking member of one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3B is a first side view of the locking member of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a back view of the locking member of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a second side view of the locking member of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front view of a trigger of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4B is a first side view of the trigger of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a back view of the trigger of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a second side view of the trigger of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a back view of a gate of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5B is a side view of the gate of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a front view of the gate of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a second side view of the gate of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a first side view of a body of one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B is a second side view of the body of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of the snap hook of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional side view of the snap hook of FIG. 1A withthe locking member in a disengaging position;

FIG. 8A is a side view of another embodiment of a snap hook of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B is a side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a side perspective view of a gate of the snap hook of FIG.8A;

FIG. 9A is a side perspective view of another snap hook of the presentinvention having its gate in a closed configuration;

FIG. 9B is a side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG. 9A havingits gate in an open configuration;

FIG. 10 is an exploded side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG.9A;

FIG. 11A is a side view of the snap hook of FIG. 9A with its gate in aclosed-locked configuration;

FIG. 11B is a side view of the snap hook of FIG. 9A with its gate in aclosed unlocked configuration;

FIG. 11C is a side view of the snap hook of FIG. 9A with its gate in anopen configuration;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a snap hook of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG.12;

FIG. 14A is a first side perspective view of a locking member of thesnap hook of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14B is a second side perspective view of the locking member of thesnap hook of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the snap hook of FIG. 12 illustratingthe locking member engaging the body;

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a snap hookof the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a body of the snap hook of FIG.17.

FIG. 18A is a first side perspective view of a locking member of thesnap hook of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18B is a second side perspective view of a locking member of thesnap hook of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19A is a first side perspective view of a gate of the snap hook ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 19B is a second side perspective view of a gate of the snap hook ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 19C is a front side perspective view of a gate of the snap hook ofFIG. 16; and

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of the snap hook of FIG. 16 with thegate partially opened.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features arenot drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevantto the present invention. Reference characters denote like elementsthroughout Figures and text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention isdefined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a snap hook 100 that iseasy to use. In embodiments, the gate 400 is configured to beselectively locked when in a closed configuration. Referring to FIG. 1A,a side perspective view of a snap hook 100 of one embodiment isillustrated. Snap hook 100 includes a body 102, a gate 400, a lockingmember 200, and a trigger 300. FIG. 1A illustrates the snap hook 100having its gate 400 in a closed configuration. The gate 400 in an openconfiguration is illustrated in FIG. 1B. The elements of the snap hook100 are further illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 2. Besides thebody 102, the gate 400, the locking member 200 and the trigger 300, snaphook 100 further includes a locking bias member 500, a gate biasingmember 520, a trigger biasing member 510, a gate retaining rivet 530 anda trigger retaining rivet 540.

The locking member 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3D. Thelocking member includes a base 202 that has a first end 202 a and asecond end 202 b. Extending from the first end 202 a is a lockingportion 204. In particular, a first portion 204 a extends from the firstend 202 a of the base 202. Extending from the first portion 204 a of thelocking portion 204 are opposed side portions 204 c and 204 d. A holdingportion 204 b (holding tab) extends between the opposed side portions204 c and 204 d. The first portion 204 a, the side portions 204 c and204 d and the holding portion 204 b form a locking passage 206. The base202 further includes a bend 202 c as best seen in FIGS. 3B and 3D. Thelocking member 200 also includes a pair of legs 206 a and 206 b thatextend generally perpendicular to the base 202 in an opposed fashionfrom the second end 202 b of the base 202. Further extending from thesecond end 202 b of the base 202 is a biasing member seat 208 designedto hold a first end of the locking biasing member 500 (as illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B). The biasing member seat 208 generally has a firstportion that extends generally perpendicular from the base 202 and asecond portion that extends generally parallel with the base 202 towardsthe first end 202 a of the base 202. Each leg 206 a and 206 b furtherincludes a respective lock stop tab 210 a and 210 b. Each tab 210 a and210 b extends towards each other in generally a perpendicular fashionfrom a respective leg 206 a and 206 b proximate a mid portion of eachrespective leg 206 a and 206 b as illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3C.Referring to the first and second side views FIG. 3B and FIG. 3D, eachleg 206 a and 206 b also includes a slot 212 and 214 respectively. Eachslot 212 and 214 includes a first portion 212 a and 214 a that isgenerally rectangular in shape with rounded corners and a second portion212 b and 214 b that extends from the first respective portion 212 a and214 a that is generally rectangular in shape having a width that is lessthan the width of the first respective portions 212 a and 214 a. Theslots 212 and 214 in the respective legs 206 a and 206 b are alignedwith each other. Also illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D is that therespective legs 206 b and 210 b terminate in a rounded fashion with arespective flat portion 212 c and 214 c.

The trigger 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4D. The trigger 300includes a middle portion 304 and first and second side portions 302 and306. The side portions 302 and 306 extend from respective side edges ofthe middle portion 304 in generally a perpendicular fashion. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4D, the side portions 302 and306 are mirror images of each other having interior surfaces facing eachother. Respective side edges of the middle portion 304 that form intothe respective side portions 302 and 306 define a width of the middleportion 304. The middle portion further includes a first end 304 a andan opposed second end 304 b. The width of the middle portion 304 bulgesout proximate the first end 304 a of the middle portion 304 to form atrigger bias member seat 308. Correspondingly, the first side portion302 and the second side portion 306 have curved portions 302 a and 306 arespectively that accommodate the bulge portion of the middle portion toform the trigger bias member seat 308. Each of the first and second sideportions 302 and 306 have a length defined by respective first ends 302b and 306 b and respective second ends 302 c and 306 c. As illustrated,the length of the first and second side portion 302 and 306 are greaterthan the length of the middle portion 304. Proximate the second ends 302c and 306 c of the side portions 302 and 306 are aligned trigger pivotconnection apertures 312 a and 312 b used to pivotally couple thetrigger 300 to the body 102 as further discussed below. The first ends302 b and 306 b of the respective first and second side portions 302 and306 extend forward at an angle and terminate in engaging faces 310 a and310 b respectively. The engaging faces 310 a and 310 b are configured toselectively engage and move the locking member 200 as further discussedbelow.

An illustration of the gate 400 is shown in FIGS. 5A through 5D. Similarto the trigger 300 discussed above the gate 400 includes a middleportion 404 and a pair of side portions 402 and 406. The side portions402 and 406 extend from opposite edges of the middle portion 404 thatdefine a width of the middle portion 404 in a perpendicular fashion suchthat inside surfaces of the side portions 402 and 406 face each other.The middle portion 404 includes a first end 404 a and an opposed secondend 404 b that define the length of the middle portion 404. Proximate amid-portion of the middle portion 404 is attached a gate biasing seat411. The gate biasing seat 411 is designed to engage an end of a lockingbias member 500 as further discussed below. The middle portion 404further includes a gate passage 412 that is positioned proximate thesecond end 404 b of the middle portion 404. A receiving portion 404 c isformed between the gate passage 412 and the second end 404 b of the gate400. The receiving portion 404 c is selectively received in thereceiving slot 106 of the body 102 when the gate is in a closedposition.

The side portions 402 and 406 of gate 400 generally mirror each other inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A through 5D. Each side portion 402 and406 includes three sections in this embodiment. The first side sections402 a and 406 a respectively is positioned proximate the first end 404 aof the middle portion 404. The third sections 402 c and 406 crespectively are positioned proximate the second end 404 b of the middlesection 404 while second sections 402 b and 406 b respectively of theside portions 402 and 406 are positioned between the first and thirdsections 402 a, 406 a and 402 c, 406 c of the respective side portions402 and 406. Each side portion 402 and 406 includes a width that extendsfrom the middle portion 404 to respective side edges 402 d and 406 d.The middle portion 404 and side portions 402 and 406 form a gate channel405 in which the locking member 200 is slidably received. As illustratedin FIG. 5A, a width of channel 405 is formed by middle portion 404,sections 402 a, 402 b and 402 c of side portion 402 and sections 406 a,406 b and 406 c of side portion 406 is varied to accommodate the shapeof the locking member 200 received in the channel 405. Moreover, thewidth of the channel 405 is narrowed less than a width of acorresponding portion of the locking member 200 by the third sections402 c and 406 c bending in towards each other proximate the side edges402 d and 406 d. This arrangement retains the locking member 200 withinthe channel 405 even when the gate 400 is in the open configuration.

Proximate the first end of the middle portion 404, each side portion 402and 406 of the gate 400 has a tab 408 a and 408 b respectively thatextends generally perpendicular from the respective side portions 402and 406 towards each other. The tabs 408 a and 408 b form a gate slot410 between each other. The slot 410 receives a portion of theconnection portion 102 c of the body 102. Also proximate the tabs 408 aand 408 b and in the first section 402 a and 406 a of the respectiveside portions 402 and 406 are aligned gate pivot connection passages 414a and 414 b that are used to pivotally couple the gate 400 to theconnection portion 102 c of the body as further discussed below.

The body 102 is further described in view of FIGS. 6A and 6B. Asdiscussed above the body 102 includes a mid portion 102 b that isgenerally in a hook shaped configuration. Extending from one end of themid portion 102 b is a nose portion 102 a and extending from the otherend of the mid portion 102 b is the connecting portion 102 c. The body102 includes an outer side edge 102 e an inner side edge 102 d. The noseportion 102 a terminates in a nose end 102 f. The nose portion 102 afurther includes a slot 106 that includes a receiving slot 106 a thatextends into the body 102 from the inner side edge 102 d of the body 102in generally a perpendicular fashion in relation to the nose end 102 f.The slot 106 further includes a holding slot 106 b that extends from thereceiving slot 106 a towards the nose end 102 f in a generallyperpendicular fashion in relation to the receiving slot 106 a. Thereceiving slot 106 a and the holding slot 106 b form a hook portion 104having a catch 103 in the nose portion 102 a of the body 102. The body102 further includes an opening 107 to the inner surface of the body 102that is positioned between the nose end 102 f and the connection portion102 c. The opening 107 is selectively closed when the gate 400 is in theclosed configuration. The mid portion 102 b of the body 102 includes atrigger pivot connection aperture 112 that is generally positionedproximate the connection portion 102 c.

The connection portion 102 c of the body 102 extends from an end of themid portion 102 b of the body 102. The connection portion 102 c includesa connection passage 108 which allows a strap, webbing, connector, orthe like, to be coupled to the body 102. In one embodiment theconnection passage 108 is semi-circular (half-circular) having an arcportion 108 a and a straight portion 108 b. The arc portion 108 a isused to connect the webbing. In this embodiment, the webbing (not shown)is tightly sewn about the arc portion 108 a of the connection passage108 so that a rotation of the webbing is limited proximately 180degrees. This configuration reduces the possibility of the webbingrotating up into the locking mechanism causing an unintentional openingof the snap hook 100.

Along the outer side edge 102 e of the body 102, proximate theconnection portion 102 c, is a notch 116 that forms a biasing triggerseat for a trigger biasing member 510 further discussed below. Proximatethe opening 107 to the inner side 102 d of the body 102, the connectionportion includes a gate pivot connection aperture 110. Also proximatethe opening 107 is a radially extending surface 117 that radiallyextends at least partially around the gate pivot connection aperture110. Proximate a juncture between the inner side 102 d of the body 102and the radially extending surface 117 is formed a gate biasing notch122 used to hold a gate biasing member 520 in place. The radiallyextending surface 117 of the connection portion further includes aradial cut out connection portion 120 that forms a locking member stop123 at one end and a gate stop 118 at another end. In one embodiment, ahub 111 extends outward about the gate pivot connection aperture 110 toretain the gate biasing member 520 in place as further discussed below.One other feature of the connection portion 102 c of the body 102 is atrigger stop ledge 114 (shown in FIGS. 1B and 2) that extends out fromboth sides of the body 102 proximate a portion of the connection passage108. The trigger stop ledge 114 holds the trigger 300 in place when notactivated as further discussed below.

Referring to the cross-sectional views illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B,as well as the exploded view of FIG. 2, further description of theassembly of the snap hook 100 is provided. The trigger 300 is pivotallyattached to the body 102 via a trigger retaining rivet 540 that ispassed through the trigger pivot connection apertures 312 a and 312 b ofthe trigger 300 and the trigger pivot connection aperture 112 in thebody 102. The trigger biasing member 510 is positioned between thebiasing trigger notch seat 116 in the body 102 and the trigger biasmember seat 308 formed in the trigger 300. The trigger bias member 510biases the trigger to an un-activation position. The trigger stop ledges114 on the connection portion 102 c of the body 102 keep the trigger 300from rotating beyond a desired location in relation to the body 102 whenin the un-activated position by engaging the respective first ends 302 band 306 b of side portions 302 and 306 of the trigger 300. When thetrigger 300 is in the un-activation position, no force is being assertedon the locking member 200 to counter the biasing force of the lockingbias member 500. Hence, when the trigger 300 is in the un-activationposition, the holding portion 204 b (tab) of the locking member 200 isheld in the holding slot portion 106 b (second slot portion) of the slot106 in the nose portion 102 a of the main body 102 by catch 103. In FIG.7B, trigger 300 has been depressed and is in an activation position. Inthe activation position, the trigger 300 asserts a force on the lockingmember 200 that counters the locking biasing member 500 which allows thelocking member 200 to move up in relation to the main body 102 such thatthe holding portion 204 b of the locking member 200 clears the catch 103and the lock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b of the locking member 200 clearthe locking member stop 123 as discussed further below. With the lockingmember 200 in this position, the gate 400 can be pushed in counteringthe gate biasing member 520 to place the snap hook 100 in the openconfiguration.

Also illustrated in FIG. 7A is the lock stop tab 210 a that ispositioned in the cutout connection portion 120 adjacent the lockingmember stop 123 of connection portion 102 c of the body 102. This is theposition of the lock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b of the locking member 200when the holding portion 204 b of the locking member 200 is locked inthe receiving slot 106 b of the nose portion 102 a of the body 102. Thelock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b engaging the locking member stop 123provide another locking mechanism to prevent the gate 400 fromunintentionally opening. Referring to FIG. 7B where the trigger 300 hasbeen depressed, therein sliding the locking member 200 up in the gate400, it is illustrated that the lock stop tab 210 a of the lockingmember 200 has cleared the locking member stop 123 of the connectionportion 102 c of the body 102 and the holding portion 204 b of thelocking member 200 has cleared the catch 103 of the body 102. The gate400 can then be opened. In the open configuration, the lock stop tabs210 a and 210 b ride on the radially extending surface 117 thereinkeeping the locking member 200 up in an unlocking position in relationto the gate 400. Only after the gate 400 is repositioned in the closedposition (or configuration) with the receiving portion 404 c of the gate400 positioned proximate an interior surface in the receiving slot 106 aof the nose portion 102 a of the body 102, does the lock stop tabs 210 aand 210 b slide down into the cutout connection portion 120 proximatethe locking member stop 123 of the connection portion 102 c of the body102 via a biasing force provided by the locking bias member 500. Thisconfiguration prevents any false conveyance that the gate 400 is lockeduntil it is properly positioned within the receiving slot 106 a of thenose portion 102 a of the body. Referring to FIG. 3A through 3D, thelock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b are illustrated as being formed bycutting and bending (punched out) connection slots 212 b and 214 b ofthe respective legs 206 a and 206 b of the locking member 200. That isjust one method of making the lock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b. In anotherembodiment, respective aligned passages are placed in the legs 206 a and206 b of the locking member 200 with a through rivet pin passing therethrough. In this embodiment, the rivet pin acts as the lock stop tabs212 a and 212 a. In still yet another embodiment, discussed below, aholding bar 1858 is used instead of the lock stop tabs 210 a and 210 b.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B another embodiment of the snap hook 600 isillustrated. This snap hook 600 embodiment is similar to snap hook 100discussed above with a slightly modified geometry that streamlines thedesign and reduces pinch points. Snap hook 600 includes a body 102 witha nose portion 102 a, a mid-portion 102 b and a connection portion 102c. The snap hook 600 further includes a trigger 300 and a gate 604. Thegate 604 of snap hook 600 includes an engaging surface 605. The engagingsurface 605 in this embodiment includes a plurality of ridges 606 thatprovide a gripping surface when the gate 604 is engaged to move the gate604 in an open configuration.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of a snap hook 700. Inparticular, FIG. 9A illustrates the snap hook 700 with its gate 900 in aclosed position configuration and FIG. 9B illustrates snap hook 700 withits gate 900 in an open position configuration. Snap hook 700 of thisembodiment includes a body 702 that has a nose portion 702 a, aconnection portion 702 c and a mid-portion 702 b that is positionedbetween the nose portion 702 a and the connection portion 702 c. Thebody includes an outer side edge 702 d and an inner side edge 702 e. Thesnap hook 700 includes an opening 721 to the inner side edge 702 e ofthe body 702 when the gate 900 is in an open configuration. Theconnection portion 702 c includes a connector passage 708 that isgenerally semi-circular in shape in this embodiment. The snap hook 700further includes a trigger 800 that is configured to unlock gate 900when depressed, as further discussed below. An exploded view of the snaphook 700 is illustrated in FIG. 10.

The trigger 800 includes a first side portion 802 a and a second sideportion 802 b. The first side portion 802 a is coupled to the secondside portion 802 b via mid activation portion 804 that is coupled alongedges of the respective first and second side portions 802 a and 802 b.In the embodiment of FIG. 10 the first and second side portions 802 aand 802 b of the trigger 800 are mirror images of each other. Proximatea first end 807 a of the first side panel 802 a is a first connectoraperture 808 a. Similarly, proximate a first end 808 b of the secondside portion 802 b is a second connector aperture 808 b. The firstconnector aperture 808 a and the second connector aperture 808 b arealigned with a trigger connector aperture 712 in the main body 702 ofthe snap hook 700. A rivet 810 is then passed through the firstconnector aperture 808 a, the trigger connector aperture 712 and thesecond connector aperture 808 b to pivotally couple the trigger 800 tothe main body portion 702. The first side portion 802 a further includesa first activation slot 806 a that is positioned proximate a second end809 a of the second side portion 802 a of the trigger 800. Similarly,the second side portion 802 b includes a second activation slot 806 bthat is positioned proximate a second end 809 b of the second sideportion 802 b. The first activation slot 806 a is aligned with thesecond activation slot 806 b. The first and second activation slots 806a and 806 b are used to selectively lock and unlock the gate 900 asfurther discussed below.

The gate 900 includes a first side portion 902 a, a second side portion902 b and a middle engaging portion 904 that is coupled between edges ofthe first and second side portions 902 a and 902 b. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the first and second side portions 902 a and 902 b are mirrorimages of each other. The first side portion 902 a includes a first end903 a and an opposed second end 905 a. The second side portion 902 bincludes a first end 903 b and a second end 905 b. A first holding tab906 a extends from the first end 903 a of the first side portion 902 ain generally a perpendicular fashion towards the second side portion 902b. A second holding tab 906 b extends from the first end 903 b of thesecond side portion 902 b in generally a perpendicular fashion towardsthe first side portion 902 a. A receiving gap 908 is formed by a spacebetween termination ends of the first and second holding tabs 906 a and906 b. The length of the middle engaging portion 904 is less than thelengths of the first and second side portions 902 a and 902 b such thata nose end receiving opening 912 is formed between a top end 904 a ofthe middle engaging portion 904, the first and second side portions 902a and 902 b adjacent the respective first ends 903 a and 903 b and thefirst and second holding tabs 906 a and 906 b. Each of the first andsecond side portions 902 a and 902 b further include aligned connectionapertures 910 a and 910 b proximate the respective ends 905 a and 905 bof the first and second side portions 902 a and 902 b. A gate rivet 920passing through the aligned connection apertures 910 a and 910 bpivotally couples the gate 900 to the main body 702 of the snap hook 700as further discussed below.

The nose portion 702 a of the snap hook 700 terminates in a nose end720. A pair of slots 724 and 726 extend inward from the inner side edge702 e of the body portion 702 proximate the nose end 720. Each slot 724and 726 terminates in a wall stop 729. The pair of the slots 724 and 726are separated by a central bridge portion 722. The central bridgeportion 722 is designed to be selectively received in the receiving gap908 in the gate 900 when the gate 900 is in the closed configuration.Each of the slots 724 and 726 include a first slot portion 724 a and 726a respectively, that extends generally in from the inner surface 702 eof the body 702 in a parallel fashion to the nose end 720 and a secondslot portion 724 b and 726 b respectively that extends from therespective first slot portion 724 a and 726 a in a direction towards thenose end 720 to form catches 728 a and 728 b in the nose portion 702 aof the main body 702 of the snap hook 700. The first and second slotportions 726 a and 726 b of slot 726 are shown in FIG. 11C. The holdingtabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900 are configured to be selectivelyreceived in the slots 724 and 726 when the gate is in the closedconfiguration. Moreover, when the first and second holding tabs 906 aand 906 b are received in the respective second slot portions 724 b and726 b of the respective slots 724 and 726, the respective catches 728 aand 728 b lock the gate 900 in the closed configuration as furtherdiscussed below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, each of thecatches 728 a and 728 b include a ramp surface 727 a and 727 b to aid inthe slots 724 and 726 of the nose portion 702 a of the main body 702receiving the holding tabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900. The catches728 a and 728 b, formed proximate the nose end 720, pass through thenose end receiving opening 912 of the gate 900 when the gate 900 is inthe closed configuration.

Snap hook 700 further includes a locking member 950 that selectivelylocks the gate 900 in the closed configuration with the main body 702and selectively unlocks the gate 900 from the body 702 when the gate 900of the snap hook 700 is to be in the opening configuration. Whenselectively unlocking the gate 900, the locking member 950 moves thefirst and second holding tabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900 out of thesecond slot portions 724 b and 726 b of the slots 724 and 726 so theholding tabs 906 a and 906 b clear the catches 728 a and 728 b and thegate 900 can be moved to an open configuration. The locking member 950is generally U-shaped having generally parallel first and second sideportion 952 and 954 that are generally mirror images of each other. Eachside portions 952 and 954 includes a mid fulcrum aperture 952 a and 954a respectively which provides a pivot connection point to the main body702. In particular, a fulcrum rivet 960 passing though the mid fulcrumapertures 952 a and 954 a of the locking member 950 and a fulcrum bodyaperture 730 in the body 702 proximate the connection portion of 702 cof the body 702, pivotally couples the locking member 950 to the mainbody 702. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the main body 702 includes agenerally conical shaped recess 732 (on both sides) that leads to andsurrounds the fulcrum body aperture 730. The side portions 952 and 954include corresponding generally conically shaped inward extending areassurrounding the respective mid fulcrum apertures 952 a and 954 a thatare designed to be rotationally received in the generally conical shapedrecess 732 of the main body 702 when the mid fulcrum apertures 952 a and954 a of the locking member 950 and a fulcrum body aperture 730 in themain body 702 are aligned.

The locking member 950 of the embodiment of FIG. 10, further includes afirst knob 952 b that extends outward from the first side portion 952proximate a first end 951 a of the first side portion 952 and a secondknob 954 b that extends outward from the second side portion 954proximate a first end 953 a of the second side portion 954. The firstknob 952 b of the first side portion 952 of the locking member 950 isreceived in the first activation slot 806 a of the first side portion802 a of the trigger 800 and the second knob 954 b of the second sideportion 952 of the locking member 950 is received in the secondactivation slot 806 b of the second side portion 802 b of the trigger800. Hence, the first and second knobs 952 b and 954 b of the lockingmember 950 ride in the respective slots 806 a and 806 b of the trigger800, as the trigger 800 is moved in relation to the main body 702. Thelocking member 950 further includes aligned gate connection apertures952 c (only gate connection aperture 952 c is illustrated in FIG. 10) inthe first and second side portions 952 and 954 respectively. The alignedgate connection apertures 952 c are positioned proximate second ends 951b and 953 b of the respective first and second side portions 952 and954. The aligned gate connection apertures 952 c of the locking member950 are aligned with a body slot 940 in the main body 702. The body slot940 is also positioned proximate the connection portion 708 of the mainbody 702. A gate rivet 920 passing through the aligned gate connectionapertures 952 c of the locking member 950 and the body slot 940 in themain body 702 pivotally couple the gate 900 to the main body 702. Thelength of the body slot 940 allows the gate 900 to move up and down inrelation to the main body 702 to allow the tabs 906 a and 906 b of thegate to be selectively received in the second slot portion 724 b of thenose portion 702 a of the main body 702 to selectively lock and unlockthe gate 960.

The main body 702 further includes a bias notch 716 that is positionedproximate the connection portion 702 c of the main body 702 near thetrigger 800. The bias notch 716 abuts the end of a trigger biasingmember 970 illustrated in FIG. 11A. FIGS. 11A though 11C illustrate theoperation of the locking mechanism of snap hook 700. In FIG. 11A, thesnap hook 700 is illustrated with its gate 900 in the closed-lockedconfiguration. In this configuration, the holding tabs 906 a and 906 bare received in the second slot portion 724 b and 726 b such that theholding tabs 906 a and 906 b are held between the catches 728 a and 728b and the wall stop 729 of the noise portion 702 a of the main body 702.The trigger biasing member 970 asserts a biasing force on the trigger800 so that the knobs 952 b and 954 b of the locking member 950 arepositioned in the activation slots 806 a and 806 b of the trigger 800 ina location that causes the locking member 950 to pull the gate 900downward to maintain the holding tabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900between the catches 728 a, 728 b and the wall stop 729 of the noseportion 702 a of the main body 702. In FIG. 11B, the trigger 900 isdepressed countering the trigger bias member 970 to unlock the gate 900from the main body 702. This action, moves the knobs 952 b and 954 b ofthe locking member 950 in a position in the activation slots 806 a and806 b of the trigger 800 that causes the locking member 950 to pivotabout the fulcrum rivet 960 connection therein pushing the gate 900upward in relation to the nose portion 702 a of the main body 702 toclear the holding tabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900 from the catches728 a and 728 b of the nose portion 702 a of the main body 702. A gatebiasing member 980 (shown in FIG. 11A) biases the tabs 906 a and 906 bof the gate 900 in the slots 724 and 726 of the nose portion 702 a ofthe main body 702 even when the tabs 906 a and 906 b of the gate 900 arecleared from the catches 728 a and 728 b of the nose portion 702 a ofthe main body 702. FIG. 11C illustrates the gate 900 in an openconfiguration. This configuration is achieved once the tabs 906 a and906 b of the gate 900 are cleared from the catches 728 a, 728 b of thenose portion 702 a of the main body 702, by applying a force on the gate900 to counter a biasing force supplied by the gate biasing member 980.

Another embodiment of a snap hook 1800 is illustrated in the side viewof FIG. 12. Snap hook 1800 includes a body 1802, a gate 1840, a trigger1830 and a locking member 1820 (illustrated in FIG. 13). In embodiments,the gate 1840 is configured to be selectively locked when in a closedconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 12. The elements of the snap hook1800 are further illustrated in the exploded side perspective view ofFIG. 13. Besides the body 1802, the gate 1840, and the trigger 1830,snap hook 1800 further includes, a locking bias member 1870, a gatebiasing member 1860, a trigger biasing member 1866, a gate retainingrivet 1864 and a trigger retaining rivet 1836.

The gate 1840 is similar to gate 400 of snap hook 100 described above.Gate 1840 includes a middle portion 1842. First and second side portions1846 a and 1846 b extend from opposite sides of the middle portion 1842to form a channel that receives the locking member 1820. The gate 1840further includes a gate passage 1844 and a holding portion 1845. Theholding portion 1845 defines a portion of the gate passage 1844. Theside portions 1846 a and 1846 b include respective aligned gate pivotconnection passages 1847 a and 1847 b. The gate retaining rivet 1864passes through the aligned pivot connection passages 1847 a and 1847 band a gate pivot connection aperture 1810 in the body 1802 to pivotallycouple the gate 1840 to the body 1802. In this embodiment, a gate sleeve1862 is positioned over rivet 1864. Moreover, rivet 1864 passes throughthe gate biasing member 1860 to help retain the gate biasing member 1860within the channel formed by the middle portion 1842 and side portions1846 a and 1846 b of the gate 1840.

The trigger 1830 is also similar to trigger 300 of snap hook 100described above. Trigger 1830 includes a pair of opposed side portions1832 a and 1832 b. The side portions 1832 a and 1832 b have alignedbulging portions that form a trigger bias member seat 1835. One endportion of the trigger biasing member 1866 is received within thetrigger bias member seat 1835. The other end of the trigger biasingmember 1866 is received within a notch 1816 of the body 1802. The sideportions 1832 a and 1832 b further include aligned trigger pivotconnection apertures 1834 a and 1834 b. Trigger retaining rivet 1836passing through the aligned trigger pivot connection apertures 1834 aand 1834 b and a trigger pivot connection aperture 1818 in the body 1802pivotally couples the trigger 1830 to the body 1802.

Similar to the body 102 described above, body 1802 in the embodiment ofFIG. 13 includes a mid portion 1802 b that is generally in a hook shapedconfiguration. Extending from one end of the mid portion 1802 b is anose portion 1802 a and extending from the other end of the mid portion1802 b is a connecting portion 1802 c. The nose portion 1802 aterminates in a nose end 1804. The nose end 1804 further includes a slot1806 that includes a receiving slot 1806 a that extends into the body1802 from an inner side edge of the body 1802 in generally aperpendicular fashion in relation to the nose end 1804. The slot 1806further includes a holding slot 1806 b that extends from the receivingslot 1806 a towards the nose end 1804 in a generally perpendicularfashion in relation to the receiving slot 1806 a. The receiving slot1806 a and the holding slot 1806 b form a hook portion having a catch1803 in the nose portion 1802 a of the body 1802. The body 1802 furtherincludes an opening 1801 to the inner surface of the body 1802 that ispositioned between the nose end 1804 and the connection portion 1802 c.The connection portion 1802 c includes a connection aperture 1808. Thegate 1840 is in a closed configuration when the gate is positionedacross the opening 1801. The gate 1840 is in an open configuration whenthe opening 1801 is unobstructed by the gate 1840.

The connection portion 1802 c of the body, proximate the opening 1801 tothe inner side of the body 1802, includes the gate pivot connectionaperture 1810. The connection portion 1802 c of the body also includes aradially extending surface 1817 that radially extends at least partiallyaround the gate pivot connection aperture 1810. Proximate a juncturebetween the inner side of the body 1802 and the radially extendingsurface 1817 is formed, a gate biasing notch used to hold a portion ofthe gate biasing member 1860 in place (as similarly described above inrelation to gate biasing notch 122 illustrated in FIG. 2). The radiallyextending surface 1817 of the connection portion 1802 c further includesa radial cut out connection portion that forms a locking member stop1823. In one embodiment, a hub extends outward about the gate pivotconnection aperture 1810 to retain the gate biasing member 1860 (assimilarly discussed above in regards to the hub 111 of snap hook 100).In the embodiment of FIG. 13, a pair of guide plates 1850 a and 1850 bare mounted on either side of the radially extending surface 1817 viaplate rivets 1856 a and 1856 b passing through aligned apertures 1854 b,1852 a and 1852 b in the respective guide plates 1850 a and 1850 b andbody apertures 1811 and 1819. Guide plate 1850 a will have two aperturessimilar to guide plate 1850 b but only one aperture 1852 a is shown inFIG. 13. The guide plates 1850 a and 1850 b further define the radiallyextending surface 1817 and the stop 1823. The guide plates 1850 a and1850 b are used in some embodiments to prevent wear on the radiallyextending surface 1817 of the body 1802.

The locking member 1820 is further illustrated in the side views ofFIGS. 14A and 14B. The locking member 1820 is similar to the lockingmember 200 of snap hook 100 described above. The locking member, ofFIGS. 14A and 14B, includes a base 1822 that has a first end 1822 a anda second end 1822 b. The base 1822 includes at least one bend. Extendingfrom the first end 1822 a is a locking portion 1824. In particular, thelocking portion 1824 includes a locking passage 1826 and a holdingportion 1824 a (holding tab) that forms a part of the locking passage1826. The locking member 1820 also includes a pair of legs 1825 a and1825 b that extend generally perpendicular to the base 1822 in anopposed fashion from the second end 1822 b of the base 1822. Furtherextending from the second end 1822 b of the base 1822 is a biasingmember seat (not shown) configured to hold a first end of the lockingbiasing member 1870 (similar to biasing member 208 of locking member 200described above). Each leg 1825 a and 1825 b also includes a slot 1827 aand 1827 b respectively. The slots 1827 a and 1827 b are aligned and inthis embedment have generally parallel sides with rounded ends. Each leg1825 a and 1825 b further includes a holding bar passage 1829 a and 1829b respectfully. Holding bar passage 1829 a in the first leg 1825 a isaligned with holding bar passage 1829 b in the second leg 1825 b. Theholding bar passages 1829 a and 1829 b are located between theirrespective slot 1827 a and 1827 b and the second end 1822 b of the base1822. Referring back to FIG. 13, the gate retaining rivet 1864 passesthough the slots 1827 a and 1827 b to slidably connect the lockingmember 1820 within the channel of the gate 1840. A holding bar 1858 isreceived in the holding bar passages 1829 a and 1829 b of the legs 1825a and 1825 b of the locking member 1820. The holding bar 1858 providesthe function of the lock stop tab 210 a and 210 b of locking member 200described above. In this embodiment, the holding bar 1858, when the gate1840 is closed, engages stop surfaces 1851 a and 1851 b of the guidemembers 1850 a and 1850 b that are coupled about the radially extendingsurface 1817 of the body 1802 to help prevent movement of gate 1840.Once the locking member 1840 is moved up with the trigger 1830, theholding bar 1858 is positioned to pass over the stop surfaces 1851 a and1851 b of the guide members 1850 a and 1850 b and ride on radiallysurfaces 1853 a and 1853 b of the guide members 1850 a and 1850 b as thegate 1840 is opened.

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial side view of the snap hook 1800. This viewillustrates how the locking portion 1824 and trigger 1830 are inmechanical communication with each other. In this illustration, thetrigger 1830 is depressed which lifts the locking portion 1824 oflocking member 1820 out of the holding slot 1806 b. In thisconfiguration, the gate 1840 (not shown in this illustration) could berotated into an open configuration. The locking bias member 1870 (aspring in this embodiment) biases the locking member 1820 so that theholding tab 1824 a (shown in FIG. 14A) of the locking portion 1824 ofthe locking member 1820 is forced into the holding slot 1806 b when notcountered by the force of the trigger 1830 being depressed. The functionof the locking biasing member 1870 is similar to the function of biasingmember 500 of snap hook 100 described above in relation to FIGS. 7A and7B. In a locked position, the stop 1823 (or stop surfaces 1851 a and1851 b of guide plates 1850 a and 1850 b) (not shown in FIG. 15) of theradially extending surface 1817 would engage the holding bar 1858 tohelp prevent the gate 1840 from opening. Hence, the catch 1803 in thenose portion 1802 a of the body 1802 and the stop 1823 (or stop surfaces1851 a and 1851 b of guide plates 1850 a and 1850 b) both prevent thegate from unintentionally opening.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a snap hook 1900. Thisembodiment also includes a body 1902, a gate 1940, a locking member 1920and a trigger 1930. The body 1902, as best illustrated in FIG. 17,includes a mid portion 1902 b. Extending from one end of the mid portion1902 b is a nose portion 1902 a and extending from the other end of themid portion 1902 b is the connecting portion 1902 c. The connectingportion 1902 s includes a connection passage 1908 (labeled in FIG. 16).The nose portion 1902 a terminates in a nose end 1904. The nose portion1902 a, in this embodiment, includes a pair of slots 1906 and 1908 thatare separated by a center bridge portion 1907. The bridge portion 1907increases the strength of the nose portion 1902 a. Slots 1906 and 1908are mirror images of each other. Slot 1906, as shown in FIG. 17,includes a receiving slot 1906 a that extends into the body 1902 from aninner side edge of the body 1902 in generally a perpendicular fashion inrelation to the nose end 1904. The slot 1906 further includes a holdingslot 1906 b that extends from the receiving slot 1906 a towards the noseend 1904 in a generally perpendicular fashion in relation to thereceiving slot 1906 a. The receiving slot 1906 a and the holding slot1906 b form a hook portion having a catch 1903 in the nose portion 1902a of the body 1902. To accommodate the bridge portion 1907 in the noseend 1902 a, the locking member 1920 and the gate 1940 are modified fromthe locking member 1820 and gate 1840 described above.

The locking member 1920, similar to locking member 1820, includes a base1922 that has a first end 1922 a and a second end 1922 b as illustratedin FIGS. 18A and 18B. The base 1922 includes bends. Extending from thefirst end 1922 a is a locking portion that includes a first lockingportion 1924 a, a second locking portion 1924 b and a locking passage1926. The first locking portion 1924 a and the second locking portion1924 b (that make up the holding portion or holding tab) are spaced fromeach other by a lock member gap 1923. The lock member gap 1923 extendsinto the locking passage 1926. The locking member 1920 also includes apair of legs 1925 a and 1925 b that extend generally perpendicular tothe base 1922 in an opposed fashion from the second end 1922 b of thebase 1922. Each leg 1925 a and 1925 b also includes a slot 1927 a and1927 b respectively. The slots 1927 a and 1927 b are aligned and in thisembodiment have generally parallel sides with rounded ends. Each leg1925 a and 1925 b further includes a holding bar passage 1929 a and 1929b respectfully. Holding bar passage 1929 a on leg 1925 a and is alignedwith holding bar passage 1929 b of the second leg 1925 b. The holdingbar passages 1929 a and 1929 b are located between their respectiveslots 1927 a and 1927 b and the second end 1922 b of the base 1922.

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C illustrate gate 1940 of this embodiment. Similarto gate 1840 of the above embodiment, gate 1940 includes a middleportion 1942. First and second side portions 1946 a and 1946 b extendfrom opposite sides of the middle portion 1942 to form a channel thatreceives the locking member 1920. The side portions 1946 a and 1946 binclude respective aligned gate pivot connection passages 1949 a and1949 b. The gate 1940 further includes a gate passage 1944 and a holdingportion that, in this embodiment, includes a first holding portion 1945a and a second holding portion 1945 b. The first holding portion 1945 ais spaced from the second holding portion 1945 b by a gate gap 1947.Referring to FIG. 20, the snap hook 1900 with the gate 1940 in an openconfiguration is illustrated. As illustrated, the lock member gap 1923between the first locking portion 1924 a and the second locking portion1924 b (that make up the holding portion or holding tab) of the lockingmember 1922 is aligned with the gate gap 1947 between the first holdingportion 1945 a and the second holding portion 1945 b of the gate 1940.In this embodiment, when the gate 1940 moves to close, the bridge 1907in the nose end 1902 a of the body 1902 passes within the aligned gategap 1947 of the gate 1940 and the lock member gap 1923 of the lockmember 1922. Once the locking portion of the gate 1940 has been receivedwithin the slots 1906 and 1908 and the first locking portion 1924 a andthe second locking portion 1924 b are aligned with respective holdingslot 1906 b (the other holding slot is not shown in FIG. 20) in eachrespective slot 1906 and 1908 and the holding bar (such as holding bar1858 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13) is past the respectiveradially extending surface (such as the radially extending surface 1817of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13), a locking bias member (suchas locking bias member 1870 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13)forces the respective first locking portion 1924 a and the secondlocking portion 1924 b into the respective holding slot 1906 b (theother holding slot is not shown in FIG. 20) therein locking the gate1940.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose,may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A snap hook comprising: a body having a widthdefined by an inner edge and an opposed outer edge, the body including agenerally hook shaped mid portion positioned between a nose portion anda connection portion, the nose portion terminating in a nose end, thebody further having an opening to the inner edge that is positionedbetween the nose end and the connection portion, the nose portionincluding at least one slot extending in from the inner edge of thebody, the at least one slot forming at least one wall stop and at leastone catch in the nose portion; a gate pivotally coupled proximate theconnection portion of the body, the gate configured and arranged toselectively pivot in relation to the body between a closed configurationwhere access to the opening to the inner edge of the body is blocked bythe gate and an open configuration where access through the opening tothe inner edge of the body is allowed; a gate holding portionoperationally coupled to the gate, the gate holding portion beingconfigured and arranged to be selectively received between the at leastone wall stop and the at least one catch of the nose portion of the bodyto selectively lock the gate in the closed configuration; and a triggerpivotally coupled to the body, the trigger further operationally coupledto move the gate holding portion to clear the at least one catch of thenose portion when activated.
 22. The snap hook of claim 21, wherein theat least one slot includes at least a first slot portion extending infrom the inner edge of the body and a second slot extending generallyperpendicular from the first slot portion to form the at least one catchin the nose portion of the body.
 23. The snap hook of claim 21, furthercomprising: at least one biasing member positioned to assert a biasingforce on the gate to bias the holding portion between the at least onewall stop and at least one catch.
 24. The snap hook of claim 21, furthercomprising: a first biasing member positioned to assert a biasing forceon the gate to bias the holding portion in the at least one slot; and asecond biasing member positioned to assert a biasing force on the gateto bias the gate in the closed configuration.
 25. The snap hook of claim21, further comprising: a locking member pivotally coupled to the body,the locking member being operationally coupled to the trigger, thelocking member further pivotally coupled to the gate.
 26. The snap hookof claim 21, further wherein the trigger is operationally coupled tomove the gate towards the nose portion of the body.
 27. The snap hook ofclaim 21, wherein the gate holding portion is part of a locking memberthat is operationally coupled to the gate.
 28. A snap hook comprising: abody having a generally hook shaped mid portion positioned between anose portion and a connection portion, the nose portion terminating in anose end, the body further having an opening positioned between the noseend and the connection portion, the nose portion including at least oneslot that forms at least one catch; a gate having a first end pivotallycoupled proximate the connection portion of the body and a second endconfigured and arranged to be received in the at least one slot of thenose portion of the body to selectively close the opening to the inneredge of the body, wherein the gate is in a closed configuration whenpositioned across the opening and in an open configuration when theopening is at least partially unobstructed by the gate, the gateincluding a gate holding portion, the gate holding portion configuredand arranged to be selectively held by the at least one catch in thenose portion to lock the gate in the closed configuration; and a triggerhaving a first end pivotally coupled to the body, the triggeroperationally coupled to move the gate holding portion to clear the atleast one catch when activated to unlock the gate from the nose portionof the body.
 29. The snap hook of claim 28, further wherein the triggeris operationally coupled to move the gate towards the nose portion ofthe body.
 30. The snap hook of claim 28, wherein the gate holdingportion is part of a locking member that is operationally coupled to thegate.
 31. The snap hook of claim 28, further comprising: a lockingmember pivotally coupled to the body, the locking member beingoperationally coupled to the trigger, the locking member furtherpivotally coupled to the gate.
 32. The snap hook of claim 28, furthercomprising: at least one biasing member positioned to assert a biasingforce on the gate holding portion to be held by the at least one catchin the nose portion of the body when the gate is in the closedconfiguration.
 33. The snap hook of claim 28, further comprising: afirst biasing member positioned to assert a biasing force on the gateholding portion to be held by the at least one catch in the nose portionof the body when the gate is in the closed configuration; and a secondbiasing member positioned to assert a biasing force on the gate to biasthe gate in the closed configuration.
 34. A snap hook comprising: a bodyhaving a generally hook shaped mid portion positioned between a noseportion and a connection portion, the nose portion terminating in a noseend, the body further having an opening positioned between the nose endand the connection portion, the nose portion including at least one slotthat forms at least one catch; a gate having a first end pivotallycoupled proximate the connection portion of the body and a second endconfigured and arranged to be received in the at least one slot of thenose portion of the body to selectively close the opening to the inneredge of the body, wherein the gate is in a closed configuration whenpositioned across the opening and in an open configuration when theopening is at least partially unobstructed by the gate, the gateincluding a gate holding portion, the gate holding portion configuredand arranged to be selectively held by the at least one catch in thenose portion to lock the gate in the closed configuration; a triggerhaving a first end pivotally coupled to the body, the triggeroperationally coupled to move the gate holding portion to clear the atleast one catch when activated to unlock the gate from the nose portionof the body; and at least one biasing member positioned to assert abiasing force to retain the gate holding portion in the nose portion ofthe body by the at least one catch when the gate is in the closedconfiguration.
 35. The snap hook of claim 34, further wherein thetrigger is operationally coupled to move the gate towards the noseportion of the body when activated to move the gate holding portion toclear the at least one catch.
 36. The snap hook of claim 34, wherein theat least one biasing member further comprises: a first biasing memberpositioned to assert a biasing force on the gate to bias the holdingportion in the at least one slot; and a second biasing member positionedto assert a biasing force to retain the gate holding portion in the noseportion of the body by the at least one catch when the gate is in theclosed configuration.
 37. The snap hook of claim 34, further comprising:a locking member pivotally coupled to the body, the locking member beingoperationally coupled to the trigger, the locking member furtherpivotally coupled to the gate.